| Here we are, early into the 21st century, and America | | | | Historically, power has existed in the hands of the |
| the Beautiful is now America of, for and by the | | | | people on the streets of our nation. Today, Americans |
| corporate elite. The corporate elite controls the | | | | that have come up short in this power play, hold the |
| government and the military. Ever hear of Lockheed | | | | trump card to a better future for their children by |
| Martin and Boeing? | | | | taking a walk on the street. Large numbers of |
| Halliburton and Bechtel? They make more money | | | | Hispanics recently did this very effectively. Their |
| during wartime than in peace. The corporate elite | | | | demonstrations were a drop in the proverbial bucket, |
| owns and controls the media. It is no longer CBS, NBC | | | | compared to the hundreds of thousands of citizens |
| and ABC. | | | | that can make their voices heard and their choices |
| Just fifty years ago middle-class American citizens | | | | known in streets across the country. It's called |
| were enjoying unprecedented wealth and opportunity. | | | | Democracy and the freedom to speak out. |
| When the Vietnam War interfered with that progress, | | | | A fresh example of people taking control of their |
| masses took to the streets in protest. The war ended. | | | | future happened most recently on the streets of |
| Today's working class majority is no longer the | | | | France. Chirac's government finally gave in to the |
| comfortable American middle-class. Today working | | | | demands of masses of demonstrating young people. |
| class America goes voluntarily to fight and die for a | | | | It's happening today in Nepal where people in the |
| country that has turned its back on it, in favor of the | | | | streets are challenging a corrupt ineffectual monarchy. |
| favors bestowed on the power people by the power | | | | I hear people say, "I feel helpless. What can little old me |
| elite. Senator John McCain's son notwithstanding, how | | | | do?" One thing is for certain. Apathy does not work. |
| many politicians do you know whose kids are fighting | | | | We have to get off the couch and into the streets, |
| in Iraq or Afghanistan? | | | | and we'll lose weight in the process. |
| The high price of gas at the pump does not affect the | | | | I entreat you to read "The Corporate Control of |
| owners of mega-yachts. The owners of mega-yachts | | | | Society and Human Life," by Stephen Lendman. Please |
| are insulated from the hard times that will certainly get | | | | don't just scan it. Print it out and read it carefully. You |
| worse for working class Americans. But there is still | | | | will find in it what some people do not want you to |
| time to change the direction of the country. I wish I | | | | know. Lendman quotes Mahatma Ghandi, and I will too. |
| could say that the power exists at the polls. But it is | | | | "Even the most powerful cannot rule without the |
| becoming alarmingly questionable whether or not the | | | | cooperation of the ruled." That small, brown skeleton of |
| polls can be manipulated. | | | | a man proved it. |